Short-term rentals are allowed in Shady Side, Maryland, but they are subject to the regulations of Anne Arundel County, as Shady Side is an unincorporated community within the county. There are no separate city-specific regulations for Shady Side, so all rules are governed by Anne Arundel County law. The county defines a "short-term residential rental" as the use of all or part of a dwelling unit to accommodate transient guests for no more than 120 consecutive days in a calendar year, facilitated by a hosting platform (e.g., Airbnb). Hosts must comply with registration requirements, which include obtaining a Short-Term Residential Rental Registration number and adhering to operating guidelines. Failure to do so can result in fines or other penalties.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Shady Side

To legally operate a short-term rental in Shady Side, investors must follow a straightforward registration process with Anne Arundel County. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Determine Eligibility:

   • You may register up to two properties as short-term rentals.
   • The property must be used for short-term stays (120 consecutive days or less). Long-term stays (121+ nights), hotels, and motels are exempt.
   • Properties within the City of Annapolis are exempt from county registration, but Shady Side is outside Annapolis, so county rules apply.

2. Obtain the Registration Number:

   • Visit the Anne Arundel County website to start the registration process (see Links section for source).
   • Complete the Short-Term Residential Rental Registration form (available as a PDF from the county site; see Links).
   • Do not sign the form initially; take it to a notary public, where you will sign it and receive the notary's seal.
   • Submit the completed, notarized form along with the registration fee. The fee was reduced to $100 for a two-year term due to an emergency ordinance effective January 26, 2021, but this may change if the ordinance is revoked—check the county website for updates.
   • Applications can be submitted online via the Land Use Navigator system, in person at the Permit Center, or by mail (address provided in Contact Information).

3. Add Your Registration Number to Listings:

   • After approval, you'll receive a Short-Term Residential Rental Registration number. Add this number to your Airbnb listing to finalize registration.
   • Contact the county if you need assistance (see Contact Information).

4. Renewal:

   • Licenses must be renewed every two years. Use the same process as above for renewal via the Land Use Navigator system.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

To comply with Anne Arundel County regulations, you must prepare the following:

• Short-Term Residential Rental Registration Form: Available as a PDF from the county website (see Links). Complete and notarize it before submission.
• Proof of Registration Fee Payment: Pay the $100 fee (subject to change) for a two-year term. Payment can be made online, in person, or by mail.
• Property Documentation: While not explicitly listed in the sources, be prepared to provide proof of ownership or lease agreement upon request.
• Notarization: The form must be signed in the presence of a notary public.
• Listing Compliance: After registration, display the registration number prominently on your hosting platform (e.g., Airbnb) listings.

Guidelines include:

• Hosting Limits: Stays must be 120 consecutive days or less. Long-term stays are exempt but must be 121+ nights.
• Property Limit: You may register up to two properties. If you have more, list the extra properties as long-term rentals to remain compliant.
• Exemptions: Properties in the City of Annapolis do not need county registration, but this does not apply to Shady Side. Hotels, motels, and long-term rentals are also exempt.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Anne Arundel County (Governing Shady Side)

Anne Arundel County's regulations for short-term rentals are designed to ensure safety and neighborhood harmony. Key points include:

• Registration Requirement: Mandatory for all short-term rentals hosted on platforms like Airbnb. Registration is a one-time process per property, with renewals every two years.
• Hosting Restrictions:
  • Maximum stay length: 120 consecutive days per calendar year. Stays beyond this may require different licensing.
  • Property cap: Up to two properties can be registered per host. Exceeding this requires reducing the number of short-term rentals or converting to long-term stays (121+ nights).
• Compliance and Enforcement: The county's Department of Inspections and Permits handles registrations and enforcement. Violations can result in fines or license revocation. The emergency ordinance reducing fees to $100 for two years is in effect until repealed.
• Neighbor Relations: While not mandated in the sources, maintaining good neighbor relations is encouraged to avoid complaints. This may involve proactive communication, as seen in other Maryland counties, but Anne Arundel County does not have a specific neighbor notification requirement based on the provided content.
• Insurance: The sources do not mention insurance requirements for Anne Arundel County, but hosts should consider liability coverage as a best practice. Maryland state-level rules (from broader context) may imply insurance needs, but this is not specified for Anne Arundel—investors should verify with the county.
• Taxation: Hosts are responsible for remitting any applicable local taxes, such as transient occupancy taxes, though the sources do not detail this. Consult a tax professional or the county for specifics.

State-level Maryland regulations: The provided content does not include comprehensive state laws for short-term rentals, as regulations vary by county. For Maryland overall, hosts should ensure compliance with any state-level requirements, such as tax obligations, but the primary focus here is Anne Arundel County.

Contact Information for Local Authority

For questions or assistance with short-term rental registration in Anne Arundel County (including Shady Side), contact:

• Department of Inspections and Permits (Licensing Division):
  • Phone: (410) 222-7788
  • Email: ipmailbox@aacounty.org
  • Address: 2664 Riva Road, MS 6006, Annapolis, MD 21401
• Website: For the main licensing page, see the first link in Links. For the Land Use Navigator system (for applications), see the second link in Links.

Links to Source Pages

• Anne Arundel County Short-Term Residential Rental Licensing Page: https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/licenses/non-trade-licenses/short-term-residential-rental
• Land Use Navigator (for online applications): https://www.aacounty.org/lun
• Short-Term Residential Rental Registration Form (PDF): https://www.aacounty.org/departments/inspections-and-permits/permit-center/forms-and-publications/short-term-rentals.pdf
• Airbnb Help Center (Anne Arundel County Guidelines): https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2917 (This links to county resources; see the county site for primary details)

This guide is based solely on the provided web content and focuses on Anne Arundel County regulations applicable to Shady Side, MD. Investors should verify updates directly with the county, as laws may change.